Lifesaving buoy



y 1968 E. 1.. MURNANE 3,390,409

LIFESAVING BUOY Filed Sept. 1-3. 1965 United States Patent 3,390,409 LIFESAVING BUOY Edward Lawrence Murnane, Belmont, Califl, assignor to Hydro-Space Corporation, Providence, R.I., a corporation of Rhode Island Filed Sept. 13, 1965, Ser. No. 486,762 1 Claim. (Cl. 9-8.3)

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A double-walled inflatable transparent sphere having an internal self-erecting radar reflector which is brilliantly colored for external visibility, an externally visible flasher operated by a salt water-actuated battery, and means for inflating the sphere.

The invention is a versatile lifesaving detection buoy constructed as a large five foot double bladder, heavy gauge transparent plastic balloon actuated orally or by C0 which when inflated automatically positions brilliant reflective orange foil which serves as a visual aid and a radar reflector for search and rescue aircraft. A small flashing strobe light, primarily for night search operations, is housed in the top portion and is actuated by a salt water battery which also serves as a weight to keep the buoy positioned properly. Provisions are made for a lighter than air gas chamber so that a survivor may elect to actuate a cylinder that would cause the buoy to rise, thus aflording greater radar reflective range, or raising the buoy above a low overcast. The buoy can be used as an easily discernible distress vehicle to transmit distress messages to nearby land by utilizing an on-shore breeze. The buoy can be attached to the survivor by: (a) an arm strap, (b) a six foot heavy nylon line with a clip or (c) a light fifty foot nylon line for lighter than air operation.

In the general view shown in the single figure of the drawing the double bladder is diagrammatically indicated by two circles. The flashing strobe light of any Well known manufacture is connected by an insulated electrical wire a to water actuated battery 5. The brilliant orange foil radar reflector 2 is a series of 90 angles formed of flexible, articulated panels as shown attached to the inner bladder and are self erecting on inflation of the buoy. At support point plastic shackle 3, a six foot nylon lanyard 3a attaches. A clip 3b permits attaching the buoy to person, raft or vessel. The inflation chamber 4 houses a C0 cylinder actuated by a ring and short line 4b. Provision is made for a lighter than air gas at 4a. The Water actuated battery 5 is actuated when water soluble plug 5b dissolves in the water. Lanyard 5c is a light 50 foot nylon line with a hook clip 5d used when the buoy is permitted to go aloft. The plastic utility handle 6 can be used to support a man in the Water. In the event deflation occurs, oral inflation can be accomplished at the oral inflation valve 7. Thus the buoy may be used on land or in the Water as visual aid, electronic radar reflector, and for buoyancy. The only requirement of the distressed person is to actuate the CO cylinder by pulling a ring.

Thus there is shown an inflatable double walled clear plastic sphere incorporating an internal self-erecting foil covered radar reflector brilliantly colored for day detection, and a salt water actuated flashing light for night time detection. It will be readily appreciated that the embodiment of the invention illustrated and described is of relatively simple, economical construction capable of being folded into a relatively compact package, but quickly and easily deployed in an emergency by inflation. It will further be appreciated that modified forms of the invention will occur to those skilled in the art, such modified forms being deemed to fall within the scope of the following claim.

I claim:

1. A rescue buoy comprising the combination of:

(a) a double walled inflatable transparent sphere comprising concentrically spaced apart inner and outer walls,

(b) a flexible, self-erecting, foil covered, radar reflector coated with a brilliant colored pigment internally mounted with the innermost wall of said sphere and attached thereto,

(c) a flashing light mounted within the sphere and adjacent to the interior wall of said sphere near the top portion thereof,

(d) a saltwater actuated battery, electrically connected to said flashing light and suspended from the bottom of said sphere including water soluble plug means which permit activation of said battery upon dissolution of said plug and,

(e) means for inflating said double walled sphere.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS FERGUS S. MIDDLETON, Primary Examiner.

MILTON BUCHLER, Examiner.

T. MAJOR, Assistant Examiner. 

